One of the remaining majority of the undeveloped barrier island in New Jersey is protected within the boundaries of the Island Beach State Park. The park is a stretch of almost 10 miles at the southern end of the Barnegat peninsula. Barnegat Inlet is at the end and Barnegat Lighthouse on the other side.
The park is divided into two halves by a central road extending through the park about one-third. On the east side is the Atlantic, just above the current sand dune separating the beach from the rest of the island. There are several habitats in the west of the sand dunes. These include freshwater ponds, marine forests, saltwater marshes and so on. The western end of the park is defined on the coast of the Barnegat Bay.
The beach of the island crossed partly through the railroad, traversing north of the park entrance, and had access to the original peninsula heading for Point Pleasant New Jersey from the north, avoiding intensive development. Years later, when the recession ruined the economy, the important development plan of property became flat. The opportunity to infer the land plan, including selling coastal houses and land, could not simply be realized. Today there are several buildings in the park. This includes governor's mansions, public facilities for park visitors, and some private maintenance buildings. There are several old houses still remaining from the day before the establishment of the park.
The park has more than a million visitors a year. A large chunk of these people arrives in the summer and heads to the swimming beach in the middle of the park. The protected beach of Lifeguard is quite popular. Another big segment of visitors consists of fishermen and fishermen. They go fishing in surfing from the beach. With a beach buggy permit and a four wheel drive car, fishermen drive on the beach and when the gate closes at 9 pm it is possible to stay in the park.
Other recreational activities in Island Beach State Park include those wild animal observations (lots of bird watchers!), Kayaks, hiking, those who come to be part of planned park activities. Perhaps the biggest event to be held in the park is Beach Plum Festival and Surf Phishing Tournament. School groups and other educational personnel also use the park.
The relatively early nature of the park means that it is a shelter for wildlife and plants. This should work in the barrier island environment, but it has been pushed out of many developed beaches. The beach in New Jersey is truly a jewel in that it shows us what it looks like we are not covered by the accommodations, houses and other places we enjoy when on the beach.
